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Masset continues to make progress

Masset continues to make progress

Nick Masset

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CINCINNATI -- Reds reliever Nick Masset's long road back from a right shoulder injury reached another checkpoint on Thursday. For the first time since he went on the disabled list in late March, Masset began throwing and came through it without an issue.

"I felt, I think, as good as you can feel on the first day," Masset said. "I haven't thrown in two months. It's kind of a situation that you're starting throwing again over the offseason. You take three months off and start throwing. You have to get the rust out. Overall, I felt loose. I felt strong. The ball was coming out OK."

Playing catch in the outfield with pitching coach Bryan Price, Masset made 30 throws from a distance of about 60 feet. Head trainer Paul Lessard and manager Dusty Baker were among those looking on.

"He looked pretty good for the first time throwing the ball," Baker said. "He felt a little something, which is natural the first time. Then we'll see."

The plan is to have Masset throw every day and build up his arm. A timetable for a return is not yet known.

"It's going to be a process," Masset said. "We'll see how I feel tomorrow and build off of that. It's a day-by-day thing. You're trying not to overdo it but not under-do it. You try to make sure you get something out of it.

"The more you throw, the more strength you're going to build. Hopefully, I keep throwing and get out to 90 feet, 120 feet and get out to 200 feet, continue to build strength and hopefully things work out from there."